Monday, July 7, 2008

Radio City Music Hall was my first photograph of a neon sign, back in 1986, and I shot some neon at night in Italy in 1987. But my hobby of photographing vintage neon signs (and occasionally vintage signs that aren't neon, or new neon signs, but it is the vintage neon that is my favorite) started innocently enough when I was pursuing a totally different obsession.

My high school friend from Montana, Eric, came to visit me in Davis in July of 2000 while his wife attended a conference in Berkeley. He had got me started on the hobby of collecting "classic" or "vintage" video game systems--you know, what was, at the time, garage sale, thrift store, or dumpster items, and now is eBay gold. I took him on a whirlwind tour of thrift stores in the greater Sacramento area, and it truly is one of the best cities in the country for thrift store shopping.

In West Sacramento we stopped at the Goodwill (now long gone) and he pointed to the sign for Sammy's Astro Club and commented that it was cool. I handed him my compact 35mm camera and told him to take a picture of it. Later he pointed at a vintage plastic sign that we drove by and commented on it as well. That's what made me start noticing these signs.

That fall I got a new APS camera with 3X zoom, and it came with 10 rolls of film. I was used to shooting one roll of film a year. What was I going to do with all this film? I started exploring Northern California using guide books and taking pictures of old buildings. Architectural photography had always been my primary interest when traveling. But this time, I started shooting the old signs as well.

In 2001, I got a digital camera, but my hobby was put on hold that fall by severe back pain that knocked me out of commission for a year. I took a handful of neon shots in 2003 and 2004. And then in 2005, I read about Flickr in Consumer Reports, and decided to join to share my baseball photos and all the family photos I had scanned. But I wasn't using much of my pro account's capacity. And then I remembered my old neon shots.

I posted them and Mike, who goes by illtakeyourphoto!, discovered them, and became my first Flickr contact. He used to live in Sacramento, and was also a vintage neon photographer. Through him I met several other people with similar interests, and it stimulated me to return to shooting neon.

At first I had no idea what I was doing with a camera, and was just interested in preserving the image of the sign. I ran around shooting everything. In the time since, I've had the luxury of going back and revisiting the subjects, and have been trying to improve my photographs. So here's a little rundown of what the city has, or, in some cases, had, to offer.

Click on small images to see larger ones, and sometimes additional information.

I've excluded Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, Freeport, Davis, Woodland, and farther outlying areas for brevity, although they probably are considered part of the Sacramento metropolitan area. I'll write other blog entries for those (well, probably not Elk Grove, which I'm hoping will just disappear from the face of the earth).

I've divided the signs by 6 regions, Downtown, Midtown, East Sacramento, North Area, South Area, and West Sacramento. Within those regions I have put an additional header for a street that I have blogged or will blog separately. When I have already written a blog entry on a street, I have not included additional details in this entry, but have instead provided a link to that blog entry.

In the case of old signs that have had the neon broken off and been repainted before I got to photograph them, I have only included ones that I still find interesting. There are still a few of those I want to photograph but have not gotten to yet.

Downtown

Before the mass popularity of the automobile and the building of freeways, people had to live close together in an efficient manner, and "Kay Street" was the main street of Sacramento. But suburbia, modern "drive in shopping centers," and shopping malls killed K Street. Following the popular thinking of the time, city officials tried to revive it by choking off access to it--the pedestrian mall was a common fix used disastrously all over the country. The city is still clinging to this idea.

Fong Liquor Store1126 I StreetStatus: extant

Probably from the 1940s. In 1948, this was Fong Liquor No. 3, the other 2 being on J and K Streets.

Ramona Hotel600 J StreetStatus: extant

Circa 1930.

United Cobblers912 J StreetStatus: extant

This sign was a mystery to me for a long time. When I first photographed it, there was an art studio directly below it. I thought it probably went with the studio, and was new art. But it stayed when the art studio left and a tattoo parlor moved in, so that didn't make sense to me. I researched it and found that United Cobblers were located there from 1959 or 1960 until they closed in 1998. According to a Sacramento Bee article, the business moved a few times, and was likely originally founded in 1928.

So it's not all that old, but it is magnificent, and I'll leave it in this blog entry for anyone else who is wondering about its origins.

Rodney's Cigar & Liquor Store1000 J StreetStatus: extant

Rodney's has been at this address since at least 1982, but earlier was a block east, at 1100 J Street from at least 1948 to 1970. They don't appear in the 1938 Yellow Pages, so 1938 to 1948 is probably when they opened for business.

The clock still looks the same, but all the neon tubes have been broken off the main sign and it has been painted over.

According to two sources I have seen, the clock dates from 1925. Dan Flynn's Inside Guide to Sacramento says that the clock was originally for Tom B. Monk's jewelry shop at 1006 J Street. Monk was also mayor of Sacramento from 1938 to 1945. His shop operated here from the 1940s until 1963, when Fred Mayes bought the jewelry store. But Monk originally had his shop on 1009 K Street, and in 1925 the business was Wiesen & Monk Jewelers. By 1929, Wiesen and his new partner Bailey were operating elsewhere, while Monk continued to operate on K Street under just his name.

If the clock is from 1925, it was probably moved and has been altered a couple of times. It's likely that the neon was added at a later date, as neon signs were only introduced commercially in 1923.

Sacramento Sewing1022 J StreetStatus: extant

The business operated here from at least 1953 to 1996. The 1948 Yellow Pages places them across the street, at 1021 J Street.

Masonic Temple1123 J StreetStatus: extant

Building circa 1920, but that predates the commercial production of neon signs in 1923.

Crest Theatre1013 K StreetStatus: extant

While retaining the shell of the older Hippodrome Theatre, the Crest as it is opened on October 6, 1949. The theater was closed from 1979-1986, but seems to be doing well now. For additional photos of this gem of a theater, click here.

Espresso Metro1030 K StreetStatus: kaput

It couldn't have been a very old sign, but it was cool, and is now long gone.

The Broiler1201 K StreetStatus: extant

This restaurant was an institution at 1013 J Street from around 1950 into the 1990s, but they picked up and moved to a new building. Now you have to walk inside the lobby to see the classic sign.

Esquire Imax Theatre1211 K St.Status: extant

Up the street from the Crest, the neon marquee for the Esquire Theatre is still there, even though the place was gutted and is now an Imax theater, and recently requested subsidies from the city. The original Esquire Theatre opened March 15, 1940. I have a few more photos of the theater here.

Greyhound Bus Lines715 L StreetStatus: extant, threatened

The building was constructed in 1937, but expanded and remodeled in 1947. Plans are to move the Greyhound Station to a new transportation center. I'm guessing this building would then be demolished, since a high-rise would be more profitable.

Hotel Berry729 L StreetStatus: extant

Posey's Cottage1100 O StreetStatus: extant

This was a longstanding meeting place of California politicians and lobbyists until it became the victim of construction--work on the light rail and other projects made it inconvenient to get to, and difficult to park near. It started losing $15,000-$30,000 a month and closed. Today some of the interior furnishings can be seen in the nearby California Museum. It moved around a bit when first opened, but settled at this address by 1961.

Downtown Garage501 T StreetStatus: extant, no neon

Currently JC Auto Service, this has been Hashisaka Brothers Garage (1960s), Tom's Auto Repair (1956), and Mike's Auto Service (1953), but the sign looks to be even older than that. I've seen a photograph of a nearly identical sign in a book on Stockton.

and around the corner:

Hotel Marshall1122 7th StreetStatus: extant

Originally built as the Clayton Hotel in 1911, it was still listed as the "New" Clayton Hotel in 1947, but by 1948 was the Hotel Marshall.

Now Schroeder's Shoe Repair, Dun Rite Shoe Repair dates back to at least the 1940s, when it was at 1325 1/2 5th Street. They appear to have moved to 10th around 1958.

Lim's Market2100 10th StreetStatus: extant, no neon

Dates back to at least 1948.

Wakano Ura Chop Suey2217 10th StreetStatus: extant

The restaurant has been there since the late 1950s, but is even older than that, as it used to be at 1219 1/2 4th Street, and even before that was at 1224 3rd Street in 1938.

Jim and Denny's Restaurant No. 2816 12th StreetStatus: extant

Now called just Jim Denny's, it is listed in early directories as Jim and Denny's, after the proprietors, Jim Van Nort and Dennis McFall. It is a vintage diner with just a few stools at a counter that used to be open 24 hours to serve people near the bus station. From what I can glean from Sacramento Bee articles, Jim and Denny opened their first restaurant at 907 16th St. in 1934, and opened the present location in 1940. Jim Van Nort cooked at the restaurant until 1988, when he retired and underwent coronary surgery. The restaurant only stayed closed a few months before opening under new ownership. I know it has been closed for at least one stretch since then, after another ownership change. Jim Van Nort died in 2001.

Torch Club15th StreetStatus: extant

The Torch Club is still in business after 70 years, just not where it used to be. In 1982, it was at 1612 L Street. In the 1960s, it was at 730 L Street. Before that it was at 601 J Street. Like every classic bar, it opened just after prohibition ended.

Cabana Lodge16th StreetStatus: kaput

The motel is still there, but the owner chose to get a small, plastic, back-lit sign rather than repair this one.

Simon's1415 16th StreetStatus: extant

Not vintage, although it certainly looked that way to me. Simon's only opened in 1984. Perhaps they reused part of the sign from the old Donner Club, which used to be there.

Mercury Cleaners1419 16th StreetStatus: extant

Circa 1946-1947.

Family Laundry2110 16th StreetStatus extant

And right nearby is Harry's Cafe, which has a retro sign.

Flame Club2130 16th StreetStatus: extant

A bar opened here shortly after the repeal of prohibition under the ownership of Anthony J. Nevis, but I haven't been able to determine if it was called the Flame Club. Certainly the sign appears to date from the 1930s or 1940s. The first year that the city directories use business names consistently rather than the names of owners, 1953, has it listed as the Flame Club. It looks like a seedy dive bar from the outside, but it is currently patronized by the young and affluent, and has an extensive selection of microbrew beers.

Cardenas Cigars2201 16th StreetStatus: extant

It's a vintage business, but this is a new location for it. I'm not sure if the sign is old or new.

Midtown

New Roma Bakery1800 E StreetStatus: extant

It has been New Roma since at least 1960, but the 1953 directory just lists the location as "J.G. Petrovich, baker."

Sam's Hof Brau1630 J StreetStatus: extant

It closed around 1993 and became Hamburger Mary's and then Hamburger Pattie's.

Wessler Body and Paint2011 J StreetStatus: extant

D.R. Woodard Cleaners2201 J StreetStatus: extant

Detail shot:

Al Nielsen1615 L StreetStatus: extant

I need to research this one. Possibly this is a vintage sign with a new "Big O Tires" addition.

The Distillery2107 L StreetStatus: extant

Okay, there's no neon on this one, but I love those old multi-bulb cocktail glasses.

Only the "BANQUET ROOMS" part is neon, presumably a holdover from when this was Dick and Eddie's.

Round Corner2333 S StreetStatus: extant

The neon was recently repaired and it was given a fresh coat of paint.

Photo by Ken BennettCrystal Ice1812 17th StreetStatus: ???

A friend at work gave me this photo. I never saw the sign lit--when I found it, it was leaning up against a wall behind a chained link fence. It is no longer there, but I believe my friend Dave van Hulsteyn may have made a deal with a developer to restore it. My shot:

Before moving into the upscale home at this location, Coronet Portraits was at 904 J Street in the 1950s, but the sign looks to be older still. I've never seen it that way, but here's a shot of it lit.

Pine Cove Tavern509 29th StreetStatus: extant

Swanson's Cleaners830 29th StreetStatus: extant

It's protected behind plastic, so it ought to work fine, but I've never seen it lit.

East SacramentoEast Sacramento is neatly defined by the borders of the Capital City Freeway (or , currently Business 80) to the west, U.S. Route 50 to the south, and the American River to the north and east.

Luis's Mexican Food1218 AlhambraStatus: extant, but threatened

Luis Leyva was a Mexican immigrant who 5 times was deported before landing permanently in the United States. After being chef at the Mexico City Cafe in Stockton, he opened up Luis's in 1965. He was well known for his charitable work, and for all the photos hanging in the restaurant of him posing with anyone of note who ate there. The restaurant closed in September of 2004, less than a year after Luis's death, and there are plans to demolish it and put in a drugstore.

Luis Jr. opened a restaurant called Luis Jr.'s in 2004 in the old Ramona Hotel building, only to have the Church of Scientology purchase the building to use as their Sacramento headquarters. The small sign there is similar to the larger sign for his father's restaurant, and hopefully he will take it with him and open a new restaurant after negotiating a buyout on his lease.

The "Socal's" neon dates from the early 1970s, although the base of the sign may be that from the Clover Club bar that was here in the 50s and 60s.

Espanol Italian Restaurant5723 Folsom BoulevardStatus: extant

The building of Interstate 5 through Sacramento's historic west end (what remains of it is now Old Sacramento State Historic Park) forced the restaurant to move from the Commercial Hotel to the site of the old Square Deal Restaurant in 1965. The name derives from its origins in a boarding house for Basque sheepherders, but the Luigi Brothers bought the restaurant in 1959 and gradually converted the menu to Italian.

It was recently removed while they redid the roofing, but afterwards it was replaced.

The Fireside5539 H StreetStatus: kaput

Club Raven3246 J StreetStatus: replica extant

The old sign was too far gone to be repaired, but Pacific Neon was able to build a replica that could fool anybody. Detail shot:

Club 2-me4738 J StreetStatus: extant

I'm not sure about the sign, but the bar looks old enough. Stop next door for a pasty.

Achilles Heel Tavern4900 J StreetStatus: extant

Now Chargin's Bar & Grill

Shakey's Pizza5641 J StreetStatus: ???

This is the original Shakey's Pizza location, opened by Shakey Johnson himself in 1954. He sold out to a company from Southern California in the late 1960s. When the restaurant experienced a fire in January of 1996, it was never reopened. When the East End Bar & Grill opened there, the owners wanted to keep the original sign in addition to their own, but apparently there is some sort of ordinance against that. The city asked Capital Neon to store the sign for two months. A year later, they finally moved it to the Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center, where about 30 historic neon signs reside, including one for the Rosemount Grill.

Some of their collection of historic artifacts get shown at the Discovery Museum in Old Sacramento. I'm thinking I need to become a member and go at least once a month just to see what turns up.

Eppie's3001 N StreetStatus: extant, threatened

The once extensive Eppie's chain is down to one operating restaurant, in West Sacramento. This site looks ready to reopen at a moment's notice, but has been closed since 2004. Somebody still has access to it, though, as there was a banner put up inside recently for this year's Eppie's Great Race.

Muzio Baking Company1708 34th StreetStatus: extant

I'm not sure how "vintage" it is. I know they have been there since at least 1988.

South AreaBroadwayFrom 15th Street to Stockton Boulevard, Broadway was the old U.S. Route 99. I'm working on more detailed blog entries for that stretch.

Quick Lunch513 BroadwayStatus: extant

Now Sim's Diner. This is a real oldie.

New American Poultry Company519 BroadwayStatus: extant

Right next door to Sim's Diner.

Rukhala Monument Company1001 BroadwayStatus: extant, no neon

It must have been a neon sign at one point, although there are no visible holes for the neon tubes now.

Joe Marty's El Chico1500 BroadwayStatus: extant

Joe Marty (1913-1984), former Major League Baseball Player and player and manager for the Pacific Coast League's Sacramento Solons, opened a bar on J Street in 1938, and in 1954 moved it into the corner of the Tower Theatre building, naming it Joe Marty's El Chico (before that El Chico Cafe had occupied the space).

I went to eat there and photograph the neon sign at night in July of 2005, only to discover that the venerable establishment had been closed by a small fire at the end of June, 2005. The owner, David Garibaldi, indicated to the Sacramento Bee that he was anxious to reopen as soon as possible, and proclaimed, "There's not a chance that this won't happen. Joe Marty's is coming back." All the historic baseball memorabilia had survived.

In December, the Bee ran a story indicating that despite frustrating delays and complications, the bar and grill would be opening again soon. An article in March, 2006 indicated that it would be reopen by the end of June.

But it never reopened, and there has been a sign outside for more than a year indicating that the space is for lease.

Tower Drug Store1518 BroadwayStatus: extant

Where founder of Tower Records, Russ Solomon, got his start selling music. It now houses the Tower Cafe.

Opening night was 1 November, 1938. Unfortunately, the theater has been divided for multiple screens.

Pancake Circus2101 BroadwayStatus: extant

The building was built around 1963 or 1964 as Al & Myrle's Platter, I believe. It became Pancake Parade around 1969 or 1970, and Pancake Circus in 1970 or 1971.

Ring Up Rivett2300 BroadwayStatus: extant

A flooring company recently closed after more than 120 years in business. They moved from downtown to Y Street (now Broadway) around 1925-1926.

Pet & Pigeon Center3322 BroadwayStatus: extant, but broken

It says "Pet & Puppy Center" on wood on the other side, but before the neon was broken, it said "Pet & Pigeon Center" on this side, according to someone who once lived above it. The long-vanished business went by both of those names, as well as Pet & Poodle Center, over the years.

Swiss Club3406 BroadwaySatus: extant, no neon, threatened

The elegant building dates from 1910, while the Swiss Club opened here sometime from 1953-1955. Kevin Johnson's company now owns the vacant property, and tried to demolish it, but was blocked by the city. Perhaps he won't have that problem if he wins the race for mayor (as looks likely).

Stilson Brothers Cleaners3519 BroadwayStatus: extant

Jasper P. Stilson was working for Spurgeon's Cleaners in 1922, but by 1923 was operating Stilson Brothers cleaners. It's still in business.

Land Park Pharmacy4404 Del Rio RoadStatus: extant

The Circus Tent8011 Florin RoadStatus: extant

Currently the Maine Line.

Gunther's Ice cream2801 Franklin BoulevardStatus: extant

An absolute classic--both the neon sign, and the ice cream shop. According to the Sacramento Bee, it opened 2 blocks away in 1940, and moved to its current location in 1949.

Beauty Bank3639 Franklin BoulevardStatus: extant

I don't know anything about this sign or its age yet.

Chuck's Bottle Shop5620 Franklin BoulevardStatus: extant

The font on the sign was changed when it was repainted and fixed.

Marie's Do-Nuts2950 Freeport BoulevardStatus: extant

This sign is circa 1970, although the doughnut shop is older, having previously been Cooper's Donuts.

Formerly at 5151. I guess this stretch of Freeport Boulevard used to be Hollywood North, as the old city directories list the following businesses in the area: Hollywood Beauty Shop, Hollywood Jewelers, Hollywood Pastry Shop, Hollywood Bottle Shop, and Hollywood Vogue Women's Apparel.

Idle Hour6814 Fruitridge RoadStatus: extant

Only the cocktail glass is neon, and it's not working, but the rest of the sign is delightfully whimsical.

Matsuda's8501 Jackson RoadStatus: ??

I've been informed they are no longer Matsuda's. Whatever they become, I imagine they would just repaint the sign, as it no longer has any neon anyhow.

Old MacDonald's FarmJackson RoadStatus: extant, neon broken

This is a long ways out of town, but I don't know what other blog entry I would include it in, so I threw it in here.

Muir Way Market2736 Muir WayStatus: extant, no neon

The Yorozu2615 Riverside BoulevardStatus: extant

Moved from the 1300 block of Fourth Street, where it dated back to at least the 1940s.

Vic's Ice Cream3788 Riverside BoulevardStatus: extant

Market Club2630 5th StreetStatus: extant

This is a great old diner originally created to serve the workmen of the produce market. You probably can't see the neon up top unless you look at the large version.

Curtis Park Beauty Salon3440 24th StreetStatus: extant

Seven Stars Baptist Church4450 24th StreetStatus: extant, no neon

Metro5531 24th StreetStatus: extant, no neon

I haven't gotten around to researching this one yet.

Stockton BoulevardSouth from Broadway along Stockton Boulevard (3000 block and higher) was the path of old U.S. Route 99. I'll be writing a more detailed blog entry on this stretch eventually.

Coca-Cola Bottling2200 Stockton BoulevardStatus: extant

The building dates from the 1930s.

Colonial Theatre3522 Stockton BoulevardStatus: extant

Opened June 7, 1940. Click on the photo to get a full description of the theater published on the day it opened.

Luigi's Pizza Garden3800 Stockton BoulevardStatus: extant

A great neighborhood tradition. Luigi's opened in 1953, and just opened another restaurant in midtown last year.

It's a real beauty of a diner, with a great vintage neon sign, wheel wagon chandeliers, and general western theme. America's Mermaid, Esther Williams was once owner or part owner of the restaurant, which opened circa the 1940s.

Guild Theatre2828 35th StreetStatus: extant

It used to be the Oak Park Theatre, and may have originally been the Victor, as their website claims, but my research doesn't back that up. In the early 1950s it became the Guild, Sacramento's first art house theater.

North Area

Ben's Big Burger863 Arden WayStatus: extant

Now Geneva's Big Burgers, they have a wide menu with a lot of good food. There are some metal pieces on top of the building that I assume are remnants of an old sign.

Del Paso BoulevardThe route of old Highway 40, and before that, the Lincoln Highway, from the Sacramento River, to where the highway turned onto El Camino. This is my favorite part of Sacramento, because it was built in the Art Deco age. You can read much more about it in my never-finished blog entry, U.S. Route 40: North Sacramento's Del Paso Boulevard, which has been described by friends at work as both "very detailed" and "really long."

Also along the historic Highway 40 route, between Del Paso Boulevard and Auburn Boulevard

Emigh's Casual Living3535 El CaminoStatus: extant

Stockman Club10219 Fair Oaks BoulevardStatus: extant

Fair Oaks Coffee House & Deli10223 Fair Oaks BoulevardStatus: extant

Town House10236 Fair Oaks BoulevardStatus: extant

Four Oaks Bottle Shop2142 Grand AvenueStatus: extant

Sunrise Drive-In Theatre8149 Greenback LaneStatus: kaput

And then there was one. When this drive-in closed in 2004--spurred by health and safety citations, after hanging on for so many years--it left Sacramento 6 as the only drive-in in town. Everything has been demolished for a new housing development. Just what we need--more people living in the suburbs and commuting in SUVs. Another shot:Photo by illtakeyourphoto!

Orangevale Liquors8940 Greenback LaneStatus: kaput

That's the address it was at when I photographed it, but originally it was across the street. The liquor store has returned to that side of the street in a new building, but the sign is gone.

And later Del's Drive-In, Dena's Diner, Burger Time Drive-In, and Taquería Zapotlanejo. The place has been vacant since at least 2005.

Crazy Hydraulics3643 Marysville BoulevardStatus: extant, no neon

I'm sure it must have been neon at one point. Interesting shape.

Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal2911 Rio Linda BoulevardStatus: extent

Flying V Filling Station1576 Silica AvenueStatus: ??

No, there was no filling station at this address. This used to be home to Pacific Neon. Now Volvo Rents is there, and the sign is no longer in sight.

Hagen's Orange Freeze2520 Walnut AvenueStatus: extant

Sam's Hof Brau2500 Watt AvenueStatus: extant

Now Plaza Hof Brau, the "Hof Brau" part of the sign is of 1959 vintage. This is my favorite restaurant--it is a delight inside and out and serves delicious food at low prices. I hope it stays just the same for another 50 years.

Tower Records2514 Watt AvenueStatus: extant, but threatened

Russ Solomon started selling records out of his father's drugstore in the corner of the Tower Theatre building, but I believe this is the first Tower Records location, opened circa 1960. The delightful sign on the Tower Theatre is preserved, thanks to the city of Sacramento, but this one is in unincorporated land in Sacramento County, and county officials have not shown any desire to preserve vintage neon.

The bowling alley opened in 1959, and the rest of the complex was open by 1960. They've added some neon details to the front that weren't there when I first moved to the area, but the sign with the name is older, although I don't know if it dates back to 1959.

Saving Center3438 Watt AveStatus: extant, no neon

Levitz Furniture4741 Watt AvenueStatus: extant, but threatened

The company just went out of business in early 2008, so I presume this sign is not long for this world. For the moment, though, it is fully functional and lighting at night.

North Highlands Bottle Shop5540 Watt AvenueStatus: extant

West Sacramento

Whitey's Jolly Kone1300 Jefferson BoulevardStatus: extant

Only the arrow is neon, but that's enough for me.

Astro Club1267 Merkeley AvenueStatus: kaput

From sometime between 1965 and 1973.

Davis HighwayWest Capitol, formerly known as the Davis Highway, was the path of old U.S. Route 40, 50, & 99 and the Lincoln Highway. You can read more about this stretch of highway and the businesses along it in my blog entry, U.S. Route 40: West Sacramento's Motel Row. Most of these signs have recently been torn down to comply with a West Sacramento ordinance.

It was probably originally something else, but in the early 1970s it was Willie's Market.

The Ones That Got Away

I've seen many pictures in old newspapers and books of splendid neon signs in Sacramento that disappeared long ago, but there are also some that disappeared recently that I could have and should have gotten photographs of, but I blew the chance. Some, fortunately, were photographed by my Flickr pals illtakeyourphoto! and Dave van Hulsteyn, and a friend at work gave me prints of some old photos he took. Others I have never seen photos of, but would love to. All of these signs would fall into the "kaput" category.

Photo by Ken BennettThe Hob Nail2708 J StreetStatus: kaput

A friend at work gave me a print of this photo he took, and the one below. The nightclub Harlow's now occupies the space that used to be the Hob Nail. The Harlow's sign isn't bad, but it's not even close to being as cool as this one.

Photo by Ken BennettGerlinger Motor Parts2020 K Street

This company was in the process of expanding, with a huge new contract based on a railroad merger. They ran into some extra expenses and delays on their new building, and then the merger was nullified by federal authorities, and Sacramento's international railroad company went belly up.

I think my first photograph of a Sacramento sign might have been the Brick Shot House just down the road from the Flamingo. It was a boring, plastic sign, but I was amused by the name. Meanwhile, I never got a shot of this one.

Okay, this is actually a found photo from before I was born, but I really like it so I put it in here.

Freezette330 16th Street

I remember seeing this one while shopping nearby at the Salvation Army. Even though the old drive-in was Taquería Jalisco, they kept the sign. I always meant to photograph it, but never did, and then it was gone.

My memory is pretty fuzzy, but I could have sworn I saw a great sign on an early thrift store run. But even though I looked for in my early days of shooting neon, I never saw it again.

Del Paso Theatre2120 Del Paso Boulevard

I was out taking photos when I was surprised by the terrazzo sidewalk before a vacant lot. I researched at home and learned of the old Del Paso Theatre, and found out it had still been standing when I moved to the area, but I never saw it.

About Me

I love to learn about, visit, photograph, research, and write about everything that is interesting, unique, and historical about Northern California, and wherever else I should be fortunate enough to find myself. I've spent many years scouring the roadside in my little car for interesting subjects and walking down hiking trails in the Sierra Nevada and along the coast to get to know the wonder that is Northern California. I share most of this via photos on Flickr, and as much as time permits me to on my blog, the NorCal Explorer. Fine art prints of my photos are for sale on Imagekind.